Peer Support for Increasing Physical Activity in People With Serious Mental Illnesses

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Depression; Bipolar Disorder; Personality Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Cognitive Disorders; Schizophrenia
• Interventions: Behavioral: Physical activity intervention without peer support (PA); Behavioral: Physical activity intervention with peer support (PA+PS)

• Registration Number: NCT00458094
• Lead Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University

Brief Summary

This study will determine the effectiveness of a peer support system in increasing physical activity and effecting health behavior change in people with serious mental illnesses.

Detailed Description

People with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) are, by definition, significantly functionally impaired by the illness for an indefinite period of time. Schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder are considered SMIs. Severe anxiety disorders, cognitive disorders, and some personality disorders are sometimes categorized as SMIs, as well. The rate of obesity among people with SMIs is higher than that of people without mental illnesses. This disparity may be due to the negative symptoms that people with SMIs experience, such as vulnerability to stress, extreme dependency, and lack of motivation. This study will design and test a culturally appropriate physical activity intervention based on a peer support model for people with SMIs in an urban community psychiatry program. The intervention will be evaluated to determine its effectiveness in increasing physical activity and effecting health behavior change in people with SMIs.

Participants in this 4-month, open-label study will be randomly assigned to participate in either a physical activity intervention with peer support (PA+PS) or a physical activity intervention without peer support (PA). Participants in the PA+PS group will have three exercise sessions each week, which will include group exercise classes and open gym hours for supervised individual exercise. They will also meet with a peer educator once a week for 15 minutes. Peer educators will provide emotional, informational, instrumental, and appraisal support that is aimed to motivate participants to partake in the exercise sessions. Participants in the PA group will attend the three weekly exercise sessions but will not attend meetings with the peer educator. All outcomes will be assessed at a follow-up visit at the end of the intervention.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2007-03
• Study First Submitted: 2007-04-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2007-04-05
• Study First Posted: 2007-04-09
• Primary Completion: 2009-12
• Study Completion: 2009-12
• Status Verified: 2017-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-12-04
• Last Update Posted: 2017-12-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 100

Inclusion Criteria

• Patient at the Johns Hopkins Community Psychiatry program
• Plans to remain in Baltimore for 8 months after study entry
• If currently breastfeeding, has received approval from a physician to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Any condition that would make weight loss medically inadvisable
• Diagnosis of or treatment for cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer) within 2 years prior to study entry
• Liver failure
• History of anorexia nervosa
• Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study
• Inability to walk or participate in an exercise class
• Consumes more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week
• Symptoms of angina or a cardiovascular event within 6 months prior to study entry

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
2	Physical activity intervention without peer support (PA)	Participants will receive physical activity without peer support
1	Physical activity intervention with peer support (PA+PS)	Participants will receive the peer-supported physical activity intervention

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Cardiorespiratory fitness	Measured at Month 4

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Health status	Measured at Month 4
Waist circumference	Measured at Month 4
General perceived efficacy	Measured at Month 4
Weight	Measured at Month 4
Center for Epidemiology Depression Scale	Measured at Month 4
Physical activity	Measured at Month 4
Exercise-related self-efficacy	Measured at Month 4
Participation	Measured at Month 4

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Johns Hopkins University; 🇺🇸 Baltimore, Maryland, United States